Something Resembling Normal

When our daily lives go along looking similar day after day, we tend to take it for granted.  It’s not until something vastly different happens that we wish for something resembling normal.  Not many people know this, but I just got back from an impromptu 2 week trip to Kansas to help take care of dad after back-to-back accidents.  First he was hit in the chest with an 8 inch tree limb while cutting a tree, which contributed to him crashing his pick-up into another, larger, standing tree.  So… trees-1, dad-0.  By the grace of God, nothing was broken. He did, however, bruise his sternum and ribs as well as having some broken blood vessels resulting in fluid in his abdomen.  He is doing better, but still has a long road to full recovery.

During my 2 weeks in Kansas, I managed to work some remotely, but mostly I talked to hospitals, the VA (dad is a Veteran), and insurance companies; as well as sorting through multiple years of legal and financial documents, tossing and shredding the ones no longer needed.  

There were some good things about being there.  I got to attend Easter Services at the Florence United Methodist Church where I grew up, so I got to see several people that I hadn’t seen in a few (?) years, including Linda, one of my favorite Elementary School teachers; and her family.  I also got to spend a few minutes catching up with my friend Stephanie and her mom Twilah.

I’m thankful that my work allowed me the flexibility to be able to go to work remotely and be there to help my dad.  Also, that my sister could tag-team with me, and is able to be there to help him get back to being able to do things on his own.  The other thing I’m thankful for is the prayers for my dad after the accidents by those I did choose to tell about it at the time.

By the time I got back, however, I was desperately wishing for something that resembles normal.  My first “normal” thing was attending my church at Northwest Fellowship this morning.

As I’m writing this, I’ve got one more day before I go back to work, then hopefully, it won’t take too long to get things back to something resembling normal.

As Time Goes By - Quicker and Quicker

When I was a freshman in college someone told me that the older I got, the faster time would move.  I didn't believe it the, but boy do I believe it now; and it seems an appropriate topic at the start of a new year.

When I was home over Christmas, I got to see friends from high school (Sharon, Rick, Nancy & Kim), and I found it interesting how the topics of discussion change over time.  There is the standard questions now are "How did we get to be this old?" & "When did we become our parents?"  Along with them come the topics of work benefits, retirement (4 yrs until I'm eligible for early retirement), etc.  (What happened to majors, exams, and such as standard topics?) The more fun of the conversations were about this year's Marion High School Class of '84 Reunion (35 yrs... really?); and reminiscing about HS & college  - including Ochampagh stories. 😄 Several people should have had burning ears.

I tried to ignore time's quick march for years, but over the last couple of years have come to embrace the age, even though my knees pop when I stand, my back hurts more than it used to, and the other effects of time (and the stupidity of youth) on my body.  This is because it's also brought life-long friends, the ones who know me (sometimes a little too well), and accept me for who I am; repaired relationships; increased wisdom in some areas, and accomplishments that I'm proud of.

So as time continues it's double time march, embrace it, learn from it, and may your 2019 bring you growth, joy, and new adventures.